Team USA Rugby Ambassador Promoting Upcoming USA vs. Ireland Match with a Series of Events, Clinics & More May 16-19

HOUSTON (May 14, 2013)—Team USA Rugby Ambassador Lands in Houston This Week! Rugby fans and media are invited to attend a series of rugby-specific events, clinics and more featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team Ambassador Paul Emerick beginning Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, May 19.

Paul Emerick was first capped by the U.S. Men’s National Rugby team, The Eagles, in April 2003 and as of September 2011, has been capped 45 more times. As of June 19, 2012, Emerick has notched 14 career tries for the United States, ranking him second on the all-time list and first among active players. He played university rugby with the University of Northern Iowa Panthers and senior rugby with the Chicago Lions before moving to Italian rugby.

Highlights of Emerick’s visit include participating in a fan meet and greet; Rugby 101 presented by BackstageOL.com, a FREE, all-ages event focusing on teaching novice rugby fans the fundamentals of the sport along with hands-on demonstrations with college and high school players; and 610 Sports Radio Fan Fest (http://houston.cbslocal.com/sportsradio-610-fan-fest-2013/), a family-friendly, FREE event celebrating the Houston sports fan with a line-up of sports legends and current players autograph sessions. Additional Fan Fest participants include: Houston Dynamo players Brad Davis and Tally Hall, Rudy Tomjanovich, Brooks Reed, Jose Cruz, Seth Payne and more.

Match DetailsThe U.S. Men’s National Rugby Team, The Eagles, will host Ireland at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, June 8th, as one of the only international matches being held in the U.S. this year. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. This match up offers rugby fans the opportunity to witness Ireland, a Tier 1 nation currently ranked 6th in world, battle on American soil against The Eagles, who are currently ranked 16th. The teams have previously faced off in 2009 and again in 2011 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand; both matches resulted in victory for Ireland. The U.S. Men’s National Team will be seeking a long-awaited win as they face off again in Houston.

Tickets for the USA Rugby Men’s Eagles vs. Ireland match are available starting at $20 online at www.bbvacompassstadium.com, www.axs.com or by calling 888-929-7849. Tickets are also available at the Ticket Office, open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Group tickets are available to groups of 10 or more by calling 713-547-3055.

Tailgating ContestThe inaugural Rugby Tailgating Contest is open to tailgating teams representing Team USA and Team Ireland. The event, which will award the grand prize presented by Kroger and Southern Comfort to the top tailgating team, will take place in Lots B & C adjacent to the stadium. Each team must register in advance online at www.bbvacompassstadium.com. Teams must be registered by Friday, May 31, 2013. Parking passes must be purchased in advance; parking for the tailgating contest will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams will be judged based on overall Tailgating Set-Up and Team Spirit. Tailgating set-up begins at 1 p.m. with contest judging at 4 p.m. For more information or questions, please contact info@bbvacompassstadium.com.

Official Rugby After PartyThe party continues after the match with the Official USA Rugby vs. Ireland After Party presented by Southern Comfort at Warehouse Live (www.warehouselive.com). The event, which is FREE with your game ticket, will feature more Irish music from The Blaggards along with Southern Comfort drink specials, the chance to meet and mingle with some of the players and other rugby fans and more!

About USA RugbyEstablished in 1975, USA Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels and has over 115,000 active members. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple collegiate and high school All-American sides, and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. It also hosts over 30 national playoff and championship events every year as a service to its members. In October 2009, the International Olympic Committee announced that Rugby Sevens (the seven-a-side version of the game) will appear in the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Visit www.usarugby.org for more information.

About BBVA Compass StadiumBBVA Compass Stadium, managed by AEG Facilities and part of its global network of the most elite venues worldwide, is a state-of-the-art, open-air stadium designed to host Houston Dynamo matches and Texas Southern University football games as well as additional professional, collegiate and community sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, conventions and special events. Opened on May 12, 2012, the 340,000-square foot, 22,000-seat stadium is the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city’s downtown district. With its downtown location, the new stadium is a part of a true ‘Stadium District,’ which includes Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center, as well as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, Warehouse Live and House of Blues.

PLEASE NOTE

The Digital Platform Department cannot respond to enquiries regarding the above platforms as each are managed by a different USA Rugby department.

If you are having issues with one of the following USA Rugby websites -- USARugby.org (main website only), D1ARugby.com, D1ARugby.tv, RookieRugby.com, PlayRugbyToday.com, TryOnRugby.com, USACollege7s.com -- please contact David Jacobson or Aaron Ewerdt.